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There are so many great conversations on the Hotline -- it's hard to choose a favorite. But we'll be doing it, once a week, to spread the wealth of our community's knowledge -- and to keep the conversation going.

Today: Simple desserts for when you're in need of a no-fuss sweet treat.

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Sometimes complicated desserts are fun. We like to make our own marshmallows, create our own candy bars, and delight in iconic desserts that require multiple recipes to construct. Sometimes though, complicated desserts aren't an option. When you’re working all day and have little time for elaborate prep, simple desserts are in order. This week, arcane54 was in need of a quick and easy dessert for a company picnic, and our community chimed in with great suggestions:

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Maedl and ELCookie recommended a fruit cobbler or crumble. (We're also partial to a five-ingredient schlumpf.)

HalfPint kept it even simpler with a fruit tray and simple sour cream dip -- 1 part sugar to 3 parts sour cream with a splash of vanilla extract.

Since Marcella Hazan passed away this week, and since her macerated orange slices are the easiest and most elegant dessert there is, here is how to do it:Sprinkle sliced oranges with a bit of sugar, drizzle lemon juice, maybe some lemon zest on top. Let rest for a few hours in the fridge. Plate, and drizzle juice over. Thank you, Marcella.

When I need to improvise dessert, I just throw fruit (fresh or roasted or whatever I have time for) in a bowl, top with some yogurt, and drizzle liberally with honey. Maybe sprinkle with a little sea salt if I'm feeling like a salty-sweet thing.

I keep dried cherries soaked in Banyuls around always. A bit of good vanilla ice cream, with a generous spoonful of the cherries and a cookie with chocolate in it to top it off always works. Porto if that's your mood.

Thai-style caramelized bananas with coconut milk & lime served with vanilla ice cream. Takes about 5 minutes and is amazingly tasty. I nearly always have the ingredients so it never takes any planning.

Dried fruit and nut processed in a food processor as a crust, topped with one ingredient ice cream, dollop of Greek yogurt. Or if you're super lazy, dried fruit, nuts, a cut up frozen banana mixed with Greek yogurt.